By the time we're done feasting I feel as if my stomach has expanded to maximum capacity, but, holy crap, had that food been delicious! On that positive note, I can't shake the devastation creeping into my soul.

Three days until Saul returns.

Three days left to spend with Alvar as himself.

We are seated next to each other at the table and my hand covers his. He's almost cold to the touch, his skin is so pale and there is no light in his eyes.

My heart breaks for him. I can't imagine what he's thinking and feeling.

Yal and Sola rise from their seats. "We shall retire to the nest," Yal says. "There is much to meditate on."

"But feel free to ask for anything of the staff, they will accommodate if you are still hungry or in need of drink. You may stay the night here if you wish, but I understand if you decide to take care of other matters," Sola assures. Her expression is sympathetic. "We shall pray and hope for salvation from Saul and the other evil forces at work in Axus."

Alvar leans to whisper in my ear, "Lucy, let's get out of here."

"Huh?" I ask.

"There isn't much time left, I don't want to spend a minute of it away from you." He grips my hand in his. "Is there anything you wish to do?"

"Yes," I manage the words, but I am still numb, too much is happening at once. I can't focus on him. The fate of Axus is up to me. "My mom. I want to send her back to earth. Save her life."

"Of course," Alvar agrees, and stands. "We shall go back to Underlund, to our palace."

"Thank you," I mouth. And he whispers something to one of the staff.

"What was that about?" I ask him as we walk to the ledge of Sola and Yal's home. The night air is warm and the moons glow in the sky casting their light on the us. 

"I would like Leeza, Fletch, and Grey to go home to their families," Alvar answers. "If this truly is the end of a pleasant world, especially for those who live in Underlund first, they need to spend as much time with what matters to them as possible."

"Oh, Alvar," I murmur.

Alvar leaps from the ledge and at first I wonder what on earth he's doing, but I note he's shifting forms. Moments later his Cursed form crawls upon the ledge, it's intimidating face at my level. "Get on my back. I am faster than any uldon."

I didn't dare argue.

*

We soar just below the cloud line, the moons illuminate the landscape below us in white and purple light. The wind from his speed whips my hair and at this altitude it's cold, I lean low and embrace his broad neck, his body is heated underneath me, the Cursed form has fire in its belly. The landscape changes, we leave the floating islands behind and we're in Underlund again, I can see the jungles beneath us. I ache with a longing up until recently I'd been unfamiliar with.

"Can we land?" I shout above the wind, taking matters into my own hands.

"Why?" Alvar asks.

"Do you know a place we can go to be alone?" Whoa, I'm surprising myself at my boldness, but I want something we can remember forever and draw strength from when our world ends.

"Lucy, time is short," Alvar's voice rumbles back as if he's scolding me. 

"But if it really is this short than... You said you wanted to spend every minute of it with me. Let's make our last days together count, you are about to lose everything, your free will is about to be taken," I begin, and I stop myself from picturing what that means. "Where can we go?"

A silence falls between us and my heart sinks. Perhaps I was stupid and it was a terrible idea. After all, I'm the freaking virgin over here who still doesn't understand fully how a sexual relationship works.

"I know a place." Alvar breaks the silence.

Those simple words shiver through me and I'm almost dizzy with the implications.

I forget that Saul is about to return and wreak devastation on everything we've dreamed, I am too nervous and aroused at the same time.

Alvar swoops downward, and I can see the lights of Underlund in the distance, as well as the outline of our palace to the east of us. We land in front of a small stone building and Alvar stretches a wing down to the ground so I can climb off his back.

"Go inside the fisherman's cabin," he says gruffly. "There should be a light inside. I will join you shortly"

"Okay," I manage to squeak out.

As I step into the cabin my nerves start bundling themselves in knots around me. I turn on the light and note a cozy little one room home with a bed, a stove, sink, and a little washroom in the corner. It's a quaint english-cottage feeling place, the bed looks comfortable and there are fluffy pillows spread across the top.

I flush. Is this how it happens? You just decide you're going to do it? Emily had gotten her virginity over with six years ago with some boy in High school whom (she'd reported) had lasted a total of a minute. I know the biology and what the act pertains of, but I've never done it and now I wonder if I'll be any good at all or if Alvar will be good. And if he isn't good would I pretend to like it?

Oh crap--

"Lucy," Alvar's voice behind me is dropped deep and hoarse. I turn and see him standing in the doorway of the cabin. He's breathtakingly sexy, wearing a clean white undershirt and black pants, his dark hair is tousled from the wind outside. His eyes are a blood red.

"Oh." I gasp. Screw those last thoughts, I'm overthinking all of this... just let it happen.

"Lucy," Alvar smiles tenderly at my dumbfounded look and approaches, my breath hitches when his hand presses the small of my back and the other tilts my chin upward. "You're so tense," he murmurs. "Are you sure you want this?"

I respond by claiming his lips and encircling my arms around his neck.

He responds hot and filled with need. My skin shivers as his hands rest on my shoulder and spreads the sleeves of my loose-fitting dress until they slip down my arms.

My dress is slipping lower, and lower. My heart is beating like a drum. I've never been naked in front of a man before. I inhale sharply when one of his hands cups my bared breast, the other breast is exposed to the cold air.

He kisses my jaw, my throat, my collar bone, and--oh--he kisses my breast, his tongue rolls over its hard center. My body is alive. This. Is. So. Hot.

A deep noise in his throat sounds. The effect he's having on me, is mirroring the effect I'm having on him.

I groan and my hips press agains his and I can feel his need for me. I remove his shirt, and press my palms against his statuesque chest.

He draws away and our eyes meet. His eyes have cooled back to blue, but haven't lost their intensity.

"I love you," I whisper, my voice barely audible from panting. I'm falling off the edge of sanity. He affects me uncontrollably. My dress falls to the floor and I'm left bared to him, save my panties.

"Beautiful," he growls in appreciation, but instead of taking me right then and there, he kneels and takes my hand in his. "Do you really want me... as your husband in this way?"

A smile tugs at the corners of my lips and I nod. "Yes, Alvar. I want you to be my husband."

He kisses my hand. "I've always been alone. I can't give you what a truly human man could." He bows his head and presses my fingers to right where his scar trails. What is he doing? He's breaking down, he's slipping into a role he wasn't meant to play nor desired, the role of an object.

I get down on my knees so we're face to face again. "Look at me."

His gaze rises to meet mine and I note his eyes are glazed over and the way his brow is lined with pain makes my heart break.

"We're equal," I whisper. "I want you and everything you are. I'm taking it all on alongside you... you don't have to be alone." I take his hand and bring it to my cheek and kiss his fingertips. "Touch me. Touch me wherever you want."

Alvar moans softly and his eyes alight, alive once more. With his free hand he reaches for my breast and sighs as he cups my softness.

I place the hand I'm holding onto my other breast and squeeze my fingers over his. "I love this. And I loved when you kissed me here. I've never been kissed like that."

"Come here, Lucy," Alvar whispers, sliding his hands down my waist and to my hips and pulling me to him so he can nuzzle and kiss my sexually awakened body. "I want to take my sweet time with you. Cover your body in kisses, savor you all night long."

Oh bliss.